The government emphatically emphasizes that no veiled threats, pretending as champions of democracy and human rights, can sway the unwavering commitment of the people of Bangladesh to uphold the sanctity of the rule of law.

In response to an open letter from global leaders urging Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to intervene in the legal proceedings against Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a resolute statement.

Ministry fires back at international critics

“The signatories of this letter would do well to advise Dr. Muhammad Yunus to operate within the boundaries of our legal framework, instead of casting unwarranted aspersions on the integrity of Bangladesh’s democratic and electoral processes,” declared the ministry on a fateful Friday, September 01, 2023.

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“The open letter stands as a stark testament to a glaring absence of crucial information, disrespecting Bangladesh’s independent judicial system. It astonishes the government that the signatories have prematurely passed judgment on the sub-judice cases and the eventual outcomes of the judicial process,” it remarked.

The foreign ministry went on to explain that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh initiated one such case, citing specific provisions of the Bangladesh Penal Code and Anti-Money Laundering Act. This case stems from exhaustive investigations into allegations of embezzlement of profits intended for the diligent workers and employees of Grameen Telecom Ltd. The ACC’s investigative team unearthed evidence suggesting that Dr. Yunus, the chairman of Grameen Telecom Ltd, along with the managing director and other board members, conspired to fabricate a settlement agreement with the intent of misappropriating and illicitly transferring Tk252 million.

Furthermore, the Department of Inspection of Factories and Establishments in Dhaka filed a case under the Bangladesh Labour Act. This action was taken due to multiple violations, including the failure to establish the Workers’ Contributory Fund and Welfare Fund, as well as neglecting to deposit a 5% share of net profits into the respective workers’ welfare funds since 2006.

High courts affirm legal grounds

In one of the tax evasion cases, Dr. Yunus, having lost in the High Court, filed a petition with the Appellate Division, as confirmed by the ministry’s statement. The Appellate Division, upon meticulous examination, found no irregularities or illegalities in the High Court Division’s ruling and consequently rejected the petition. This led to Dr. Yunus settling the outstanding tax amount with the National Board of Revenue. The ministry further noted that there are currently several pending tax evasion cases against him, adding a layer of complexity to this legal saga.

In the cases concerning the alleged deprivation of workers’ rightful profits, Dr. Yunus resorted to the highest courts on two separate occasions. One instance challenged the maintainability of the case, while the other contested the framing of charges by the trial court. The highest court, after thorough deliberation and scrutiny, rendered judgments affirming that the first case had been appropriately initiated and that the framing of charges in the second case was legal, proper, and correct.

The ministry expressed its deep regret that the signatories of the letter sought to implore the Prime Minister to wield extra-judicial authority to halt the ongoing legal proceedings. They proposed an alternative review process for the charges against Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his associates, a process deemed incompatible with the established judicial system of Bangladesh.

Highlighting a recurring pattern, the statement emphasized that Dr. Yunus and his associates had previously resorted to international lobbying when faced with legal consequences for their alleged or proven violations of the law. This included a lawsuit against the government for his contract termination as the Managing Director of Grameen Bank, which occurred beyond the age of retirement stipulated in the Grameen Bank Service Rules of 1993.

The foreign ministry vehemently stated that it is unacceptable for a citizen of a sovereign nation to repeatedly seek external interventions, seemingly predicated on a perception of being above the domestic laws. Furthermore, the ministry claimed that it had become evident to the people of Bangladesh that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, despite being a salaried employee of Grameen Bank, had invested substantial sums of allegedly misappropriated and laundered money in commercial ventures.

The ministry characterized the allegations of “persecution or harassment” as part of a consistent pattern rooted in a victim mentality that instrumentalizes human rights and democracy as expedient covers.

In closing, the government resolutely reasserted that no amount of veiled threats under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights could divert the people of Bangladesh from their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Recap of the open letter

About 176 prominent global leaders and Nobel laureates, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have united in the open letter to appeal to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, urging the suspension of ongoing legal proceedings against Muhammad Yunus. Dr. Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in introducing microcredit to alleviate poverty.

In their collective message, these distinguished leaders expressed their concerns about the treatment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, describing it as a case of what they perceive as continuous judicial harassment.

The letter further asserted their belief that a comprehensive examination of the anti-corruption and labor law cases against Dr. Yunus would ultimately lead to his exoneration. They expressed their confidence in the outcome of such a review, underlining their unwavering support for Dr. Yunus and the principles he represents.

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